The Return
Category: Big Art. Bigger Change.
Address
1200 Congress St
Houston, TX 77002
Details
Artist: Alex Arzu & Emmanuel Jarus
This mural's purpose is to pay tribute to the legacy of John Biggers, a Houstonian artist world renowned for his social realist murals and symbolic paintings, with a large replica of his painting “the return” highly symbolic of this guiding and supporting of the youth. But also, to create a conversation on the importance of re-humanizing our judicial system and the importance of nurturing, guiding, and supporting young individuals on their path to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
It comes in support of the @UnitedNations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, focusing on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
This gigantic mural features a woman as a central figure, standing firmly with hands placed on the shoulders of the children, serving as a representation of guidance and support. Her foot rests upon the back of a turtle, a creature often associated with longevity, endurance, and the slow and steady journey towards a goal; here it emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence in the process of personal development and underscores the notion that meaningful change, led by mentors and educators within the facility, takes time.
